Golf: Koepka again! Fleetwood with Monster Round

Brooks Koepka successfully defended his title at the 188th US Open. The American relegated Englishman Tommy Fleetwood to second place.

That Fleetwood made a furious recovery in the last round with a historic 63, but finally remained behind Koepka. The 2017 winner needed a total of 281 strokes, Fleetwood finished second with one stroke behind.

“I can’t believe it,” Koepka said. “I never even dreamed of defending the title. This is really something special.”

Fleetwood missed the major record of South African Brandon Grace in his fabulous lap, who had achieved a 62 at last year’s Open Championship. Before Fleetwood, Justin Thomas, Vijay Singh, Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus played a 63 at a US Open.

“The 62 was somehow more in my head than my current position on the leaderboard”, Fleetwood admitted, “Hopefully this lap was a stage on the way to a major victory for me.”

In third place on Long Island followed the current world number one Dustin Johnson with 283 strokes. Martin Kaymer had already failed on the cut after the second round on Friday. Superstar Tiger Woods, who continues to struggle with strong fluctuations in shape, did the same to him.

Koepka was happy about a prize money of 1.86 million euros. The 28-year-old defended his first title since Curtis Strange in 1989.

“I love having to push the envelope,” Koepka said. “Sometimes it feels like you’re breaking down under the pressure, but that’s what I like.”

The conditions at the 2018 edition of the US Open had not always been ideal until the final day. The PGA had also watered the lawn before the last day to ensure better drainage. Favourites like Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth had failed before.